The Best of Indonesia’s Islands: Java, Bali and Flores

When you land in Semarang, we’ll help you through customs and security formalities before privately transferring you to Magelang. You’ll spend three nights here in the hills, in the heart of a 54-acre estate with a spectacular view. After all that travelling, unwind surrounded by mountains, lush vegetation and palm trees. While you’re here, you can enjoy the beautiful swimming pool, take yoga classes and explore your surroundings by bike. Dinner this evening in the restaurant is prepared with produce from the organic garden.

After taking in the view of the misty hills from the terrace this morning, you’ll set off to discover a marvel of Buddhist art: the Borobudur temple. Built in the eighth and ninth centuries, it’s the world’s largest Buddhist temple. In the company of a private guide, you’ll explore this incredible building decorated with over 2000 relief panels and around 500 statues. The scale and coherence of the design is simply mesmerising. We’ll also arrange for you to have a traditional Javanese massage while you’re here. Relax in your hotel spa and feel yourself let go of any tension, thanks to the skilful hands of your therapist. The rest of your time in Magelang is yours to spend lounging, exploring and enjoying your peaceful surroundings.

Today you’re heading to the magical island of Bali, so we’ll transfer you to the airport for the short flight to Denpasar. When you arrive, you’ll take another private transfer to your accommodation just outside of Ubud, where you’ll spend the next three nights. Inspired by traditional Indonesian villages, your hotel is surrounded by nature and features swimming pools where you can take a dip while taking in the view. Enjoy lunch full of Asian flavours when you arrive, followed by a treatment in the spa or a session in the yoga studio.

Here in Bali’s highlands, the island’s artistic traditions are at their most vibrant. Painters and sculptors have long been enticed by Ubud’s beauty and tranquillity, and have injected it with their creativity. Explore the centre through its many museums, markets and galleries including the Neka Art Museum, and make sure to sample some delicious street food while you’re here. You can also visit the nearby Bali Bird Park, where 250 species in all shapes and colours live freely across five acres. Rafting down the Ayung River or attending a Balinese dance performance are also great ways to spend your time in this peaceful part of the island.

Rice fields have been the beating heart of the Ubud region for generations, shaped into splendid terraces undulating across the hills. Without a doubt, this is one of the most beautiful landscapes that humans have produced. If you like, we can arrange for you to explore the countryside during a private ride in a vintage convertible. Those who want to delve deeper into Ubud’s spiritual side can also have a purification ceremony in a temple at nightfall.

Today you have a private driver at your disposal who will take you to the enchanting village of Sidemen, about an hour and a half away. You’ll spend the next two nights here in a private villa with a view of green rice terraces and Mount Agung in the distance. Far from the crowds, you can live to the rhythm of rural life as you watch the sun rise and set over the hills, and take scenic walks in the surrounding countryside.

The wild green Sidemen Valley is surrounded by mountains, rice fields and forests, and located in the heart of the island. We’ll arrange for you to take a walk around the area today. Led by a private guide, you’ll soak up the vibrancy of the rice fields, before a visit to a village to learn more about one of the region’s ancestral local crafts: manual weaving to create a sarong, the making of Arak or even coconut oil production.

The rest of your time in Sidemen is yours to spend as you please. We recommend visiting the Pura Bukit Tageh Temple to admire the view, or some of the island’s most important temples (such as Pura Besakih) which are untouched by mass tourism.

Wave goodbye to the countryside because today you’re heading for clear waters and golden sands. You’ll be privately transferred back to Denpasar airport this morning for your short flight to Flores. When you land, we’ll transfer you to your accommodation in Labuan Bajo, that’s located moments from the beach. You’ll spend the next three nights here in your own bungalow surrounded by tropical vegetation. This afternoon, choose between lazing by the pool, lounging on the sand, and exploring the water by paddleboard or canoe. There are also some excellent snorkelling and diving spots nearby – the perfect activity to work up an appetite before dinner in your hotel’s pan-Asian restaurant.

The islands of Komodo, Padar and Rinca all belong to Komodo National Park. Today, you’ll head into the park to meet the famous Komodo dragons: large monitor lizards that can reach 10ft in length and swallow a whole deer. They live here on rocky hills covered with dry savannah, a far cry from the sandy beaches and turquoise waters you’ve become accustomed to. Accompanied by a ranger, you’ll walk on Komodo Island for around half an hour to see these incredible reptiles along with buffalo, deer, monkeys, birds and red crabs. You’ll then have a chance to cool off with a swim off Padar, Pink Beach and Manta Point, where you can admire the seabed armed with your snorkel or diving gear.

It’s the last day of your trip to Indonesia, and while this could put a downer on things, there’s so much to lift your spirits: clear water, vibrant greenery, spectacular food. You have today to spend soaking up the beauty and tranquillity of your surroundings; whether that means swimming, snorkelling or diving to marvel at the kaleidoscopic world beneath the waves, or simply relaxing on the sand before a treatment in the hotel spa.